Arsenal ‘target’ £50.5million summer transfer swoop as international defender ‘eyed’

Arsenal are reportedly targeting a £50.5million summer transfer swoop - with an international defender also under consideration.

After a quiet January transfer window, Mikel Arteta is expected to seek a number of new faces once the summer trading period begins.

And the rumour mill has already started to spin, with the Gunners having been linked with a number of players at home and abroad.

Here’s what the latest transfer gossip is saying:

Arsenal enter race for in-demand striker

Arsenal have reportedly entered the rave for Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez.

Italian outlet Calciomercato claim that the Gunners are the latest side to register an interest in the Argentinian international - who could leave the San Siro this summer.

While Martinez remains under contract until 2026, there is a belief that Inter could look to cash in this summer.

Previous reports have suggested that the Italian giants could demand around £50.5million for the 24-year-old, whose contract is not thought to include a release clause.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham have also previously been linked with Martinez after his stellar form in Serie A - with the striker having netted 17 goals in 40 appearances across all club and international fixtures this season.

Arsenal are set to be in the market for forward reinforcements this summer, with some major doubts over the future of their forward line.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having already departed and Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette yet to put pen to paper at the Emirates Stadium, there could be some serious overhaul in the attacking areas.

Manchester City steal march in race for Serie A ace

Another forward linked with the Gunners is AC Milan’s Rafael Leao - whose future remains unclear with contract talks having stalled.

The 22-year-old has excelled in Serie A and is comfortable playing anywhere across the frontline - and has also been linked with Newcastle United.

Previous reports have suggested that the Italian giants value Leao at around £50million, and it is now claimed that Manchester City have stolen a march in the race for his signature.

Calciomercato claim that Leao is attracting no shortage of interest as the stand-off over a new contract in Italy continues.

Arsenal ‘show most interest’ in international defender

Arsenal are one of a host of clubs that have been linked with a summer move for Barcelona defender Sergi Roberto.

But fresh reports from Fichajes in Spain suggest that the Gunners are the side to have ‘shown the most interest’ in the full-back.

The Spanish international is set to see his contract at the Nou Camp expire this summer - and there is little expectation that he will extend his deal.

Manchester City have also been linked with the 30-year-old, but it’s Arsenal who appear to be leading the way - with a move to the Premier League thought to appeal to the player.

While Roberto has mainly operated as a full-back in recent years, he was previously a central midfielder and so could bring some versatility to the Emirates Stadium.